Received a call today about a nuisance beaver job. More river beaver, flooding a farmers fields. They’ve got two large dams and a ton of water backed up. My issue lies in that the farmer does not own the property the beavers have their dams, the owner of this property will not allow anyone access to deal with the beavers. The farmers property line starts about 20’ away from the beavers lodge on dry ground. The farmer also owns about a 50 yard stretch of the river within 80 yards of the lower dam. There are no deep spots for drowning on this stretch. I'm going to wait a month a go around the first of march to see if I can draw them downstream with castor to farmers stretch of river. My questions are, how long of chain to use? Amount of swivels to be used? I use beaver extremes and bridger#5 DLS normally on drowning sets, are these too heavy for long chaining? Any tips to keep them from wringing out. Thanks guys.

I have used this method and it does work. Attached is a link for a tutorial the fella that taught me how to do it made

Long chain beaver trapping

Hope this helps

Ric McCaslin

Thanks Ric

Since they are river beaver, I wonder how navigable water laws apply to this. I wonder if they are similar to fishing and travel rules. I don’t have any firm answers, but you might find something useful if you called the game warden. The beaver may have turned the stream into navigable water.

I will look into that Limestone, thanks

Rattrapper1234 had an interesting question in an old beaver chaining thread, why doesn’t any trap company make a beaver sized stoploss? I think it would be a pretty handy trap.

If navigational, you still may not be able to touch the ground underneath, but floats may work. If you can lure them to the farmer's stretch of river, why not just use 330s or foot traps?

I’m going to use footholds Brian, no deep water to drown them, figured I’d give the long chain a try. Gonna stick some 330 in as well👍👍

12 foot of chain with two swivels and the tap swivel..

I don’t agree with using the small trap as stated in the video.
I target for the back foot catch.
The bridger Braun is my favorite adc beaver trap…

Ah, I overlooked the "no deep spots".

I've used eight foot to twelve foot. I wouldn't go shorter than eight. A couple swivels will suffice, three better. Beaver aren't bad to twist things up on long chain if no entanglement. Entanglement is not good. Do not set long chains anywhere within reach of a bank den, ask me how I know lol.
Back foot always better than front. Approach slowly and calmly and most of the time it'll be waiting quietly on the bank for you. A rifle is a good thing. If spooked they dive and now you got a waiting game or tug of war.
They aren't bad to pump a stake or lunge so anchoring isn't as vital as it is with coyote but always anchor as if because it happens.

Thanks for the insights warrior. I’ve since checked my regs and I’m not allowed to long chain beaver in my area. Footholds must be on drowners to be legal, so back to the drawing board.

Can you use snares? Sounds more like a better set up for snares.

here in ontario you cannot set a foothold trap for beaver unless it is in a drowning scenerio so you need 3 feet of water at least i think castor mound sets guarded by a330 or 280 would be the best choice here

Put your trap on a drowner . use heavier cable it will still act like a long chain if needed. JMO.

Backroad,

The OP stated that he does not have any deep water to work with.

I read the post. Use the drowner as a long chain. Maybe don't use as much weight on the end. I don't see much difference.

Long chain or cable is the way to go for how I trap I was skeptical at first and watched dale billingsleys methods I’ll never mess with drowner set ups again

In Michigan you aren’t allowed to dispatch a beaver with a gun. What’s most effective method when long chaining? Flat end axe love tap?

Leroy, one of the things our Illinois Trapping Assoc. did that made a lot of sense to me, was change that dispatch law...we had the same one you have. Picture some young kid trying to dispatch a large beaver(or otter) with a stick in the water....not safe at all. You guys MIGHT want to look into that.
pm sent

Yup an accurately placed love tap is surprisingly quick and effective.

Questions for Lt.Grey....what exactly do you mean by "pick the bank"? Also, when you say your trap is suspended in water, do you mean you use the technique that David Lafforthun shows in his videos with the trays? I'm also curious how/why your long-chained beavers are drowning...is there some sort of tangle stake in the water?

Thanks...just trying to learn all I can...beavers have frustrated me a couple of times...

Trapper Dusty,

"Pick the right bank"

Meaning there are spots up and down a bank that are better than others and choosing it may come with time and experience.


You don't want entanglement, if it's there, clear it, or choose another spot.

Same idea as David, but I have simplified it one step further. Better, IMO.
One trap on a single pole. Lure container, trap holder, pole, all integrated into one single unit.
Length of chain ? Most of mine are around 15 or more feet

Normally , 18' , heavily swiveled. No entanglement pole.
Beaver caught by the front foot swims straight out. I normally find the chain out taut

* A beaver feels safer approaching something in the water, because THAT is it's element

Feel free to see more on this subject on my F B page or contact me direct.

Always try to help out another trapper

What traps do you prefer for that method LT?